welcome Back IF...

‘Welcome back!’ That’s what I want to say. Not original, not at all and you will hear many people say this many, many times, of course, over the first few days. This traditional greeting is symbolic, semiotic even, and stands for fond messages, good wishes and hopes for a pleasant vacation, saying the socially correct thing at the right occasion and all sorts of other subtexts depending on status of speaker, status of speakee and the situation (and in the UK the weather, of course.)

I, too, have a subtext as Dean of Students which runs something like this:

If you are new to our rather special ICS society then a very sincere welcome indeed!
If you are one of our wonderfully supportive parents or guardians, or…
If you are one of our charming, motivated and exemplary students then you are more welcome than I can express in a short Blog; these people are in a vast majority.
If you are a teenager then you are especially welcome if your intention is to work to improve your performance in as many school relevant areas as possible and to become an example of a successful and fun kid contributing to and benefiting from the academic, the sport, the artistic and the social aspects of the curriculum.
If you have occasionally and in exceptional circumstances parked your car where it is not supposed to go (we clearly indicate where for the safety of the students and smooth running of the school) or have driven down the driveway on the phone or with a cup of hot coffee in your hand but will never do this again and indeed you will encourage others to follow your example, then you are exceptionally welcome.
If you have been entered in the Dean’s Log in the past but intend never to repeat this experience then to you a special welcome back to the fold.

And as a colleague pointed out to me, if you all do all of this then I, in my role as Dean of Students, could be out of a job…